Book Review || Dark Cloud (2023)
Book Review || Dark Cloud (2023)
"Abigail has a dark cloud. It follows her everywhere."
It is important to note that most of the themes explored in this book deal with sensitive subject matters. My review, therefore, touches on these topics as well. Many people might find the book's subject matters & those detailed in my review overwhelming. I would suggest you steer clear of both if this is the case. Please note that from this point forward I will be writing about matters which contain reflections on mental illness, feelings of intense overwhelm, Depression, & others.
Abigail is a girl with a dark cloud; it follows her everywhere she goes. Sometimes, Abigail finds herself forgetting the blue that colours the sky. Other times, Abigail is reminded that there are colours her dark cloud prevents her from seeing. Overall, Abigail knows that she has a dark cloud & in consequence, feels very alone.
This story explores the reality of maneuvering through life with very intense emotional experiences. Abigail is a young person who doesn’t yet understand what it means to have a dark cloud, let alone know how to describe the experience. Throughout this book, the reader is allowed to be met with life under the cloud; exploring the shadows that loom over the rainbow world we live in. These books are essential for the reader as much as they are for those around; those with whom the reader might lean on to discuss the clouds that exist over many people's heads.
Mental illness is a difficult subject matter to broach. How do we begin to explain the feelings that leave us submerged an inch from the surface? How can a person truly understand how depleting it feels to live just out of reach of reprieve? Penny Neville-Lee’s illustrations grant the reader the ability to point at images that reflect invisible feelings inside themselves. I am very grateful to her for her ability to breach the divide as she has done in her work.
Throughout this story I found myself feeling rather sad. I was sad for Abigail. In my years on earth, I have not come across an accurate way to describe the array of mental illnesses that exist in our beings. The human brain is such a master at its craft, we seem to struggle to keep up. Having literature, & different mediums of art allows people like Abigail—like myself—the freedom to be seen without needing to say anything at all.
I am glad to know this book exists. I hope that every reader who needs it has the opportunity to feel seen & heard through the lovely prose & the delicate imagery that clears the clouds that shelter them from sunny days.
Thank you to NetGalley, Kids Can Press, & Anna Lazowski for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
C. 💌